Short-term effects of methylprednisolone on cerebral volume in multiple sclerosis relapses

Chapman, C
Tubridy, N
Cook, M J
Mitchell, P J
MacGregor, L R
Lovelock, C
Litewka, Lucas
Sedal, L
Kilpatrick, T J
Butzkueven, H

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Publication date

January 2006

DOI

10.1016/j.jocn.2005.08.012

Publisher

Churchill Livingstone

ISSN

0967-5868

Citation count (estimate)

Abstract

We prospectively investigated the short-term effects of intravenous methyl-prednisolone (IVMP) on cerebral volume in patients suffering a multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse. Ten patients underwent MRI brain studies immediately before and after IVMP treatment, and 4 and 8 weeks later. Whole brain volumes decreased significantly over the 8-week period. The greatest change occurred during IVMP administration. This has implications for MS treatment trials using cerebral atrophy as an endpoint. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved